Box-fastener.



No. 633,327. Patented Sept. I9, |899.

E. T.- PUGH.

B0Xv FASTENER.

(Application med June 19, 18991) (No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT ERASTUS T. PUGH, OF HEARNE, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES J. HOSTRASSER, OF SAME PLACE.

BOX-FAST'EN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 633,327, dated September 19, 1,899. v

Application filed June 19, 1899.

To all whom, it may concern:

-Be it known that I, ERAsTUs 'F.PUGH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hearne, in the county of Robertson and State ofTeXas, have invented a new and useful Box or Crate Fastener, of which the following i`s a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in box or crate fasteners particularly adapted for use on crates for shipping fruit and the like and to provide a simple, inexpensive, and efficient means to enable the box or crate to be readily sealed when locked.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a crate embodying the features of the improved fastener and shown closed. Fig. 2 is a similar view, the sections of the crate being separated. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view illustrating the construction of the locking mechanism.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

1 designates a crate or case designed primarily for the shipment of bananas and composed ot' two separable sections 2 and 3, and the said crate or case, which is shown polygonal in cross-section, may be circular or any other desired shape. Each section of the crate is composed of heads or ends 3a and longitudinal slats or bars secured to the outer edges of the ends or heads and arranged at intervals to provide openings for aording the desired ventilation. The upper section 3 is adapted to be readily placed on the lower section, and itlnay be quickly removed therefrom, and after the crate has been emptied the sections may be nested to enable them to be compactly arranged for returning them to the shipper orother person. This construction also enables the crates to be compactly stored when they are not in use.

The lower section 2 of the crate is provided on the exterior of its ends or heads with transverse cleats 4, arranged a short distance be- -low the upper or inner edges of the ends or stamina. 721,107. (No model.)

heads 3, and the upper section is provided with transverse cleats 5, which depend below the inner edges of the heads or ends and are adapted to fit against the cleats 4 of the lower section, whereby the parts are interlocked and held against longitudinal movement.

The crate is secured when closed by a` substantially L-shaped locking device 6, mounted on each of the transverse cleats t and having one arm '7, forming apivot, and its other arm S, which is adapted to be turned in alinement with the cleats and at right angles to the same, is capable of engaging the upper edge of the adjacent upper cleat 5, whereby the upper section is locked on the lower section. The pivot-arm 7 of the locking device is provided at its lower end with a head 9; but any other suitable means may be employed for retaining it in the perforation of the lower cleat 4.. The upper cleat 5 vis provided at its outer face with acentrallyarranged vertical groove 10, adapted to receive the upper portion of the pivot-arm 7, whereby the approximately horizontal arm S is adapted to be turned into engagement with the said cleat 5. The outer portion of the engaging'arm 8 of the locking device is bent upward, as shown, to offset it from the upper edge of the cleat 5, and this oifset portion 11 is engaged by a forked or bifurcated end 12 of a resilient strip or spring 13, secured at its other end to the upper edge of the cleat 5 and adapted to be readily depressed to permit the arm 8 of the locking device to be readily engaged with it and removed from it.

The spring is provided at the sides of its fork or bifurcation with eyes 14, adapted to receive the wire 15 of a seal 16, whereby the engaging arm of the locking device isretained in the fork or bifurcation of the spring. The wire of the seal may be readily introduced into the eyes of the spring and the crate can be quickly sealed, so that access to its contents cannot be had until the seal is broken. The seal may be readily removed without injuring the locking device, to which it is applied.

Changes in the form, proportion, size, and the minor details of construction within the scope of the appended claims may be re- ICO sorted to Without departing from the spiritor sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

What is claimed isl. The combination with a crate composed of two sections and provided at their outer faces with abutting cleats, of a locking device mounted on one of the cleats and engaging the other, and a forked or bifurcated member arranged to receive the en gaging portion of the locking device and provided with eyes, adapted for the reception of the Wire of a seal, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a locking device composed of a pivot and an arm arranged at an angle to the pivot, and a strip of metal having one end free and provided with a fork or bifurcation arranged to receive the arm of the locking device, said strip being provided at the sides of the fork or bifurcation with eyes adapted to receive the* wire of a seal, substantially as described.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a locking device composed of a pivot and an arm arranged at an angle to the pivot, and a resilient strip or spring secured at one end and having its other end free and provided with a fork or bifurcation located in the path of the said arm and adapted to engage the same, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto axed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

ERASTUS T. PUGH,

IVitnesses:

W. C. BISHOP, J. F. PELL. 

